Solus SU-1250 LED On test

[Mark Chase]

Last September Kevin from SSP contacted me and asked me to have a go with a second generation SU 1250 LED main torch and pass on my thoughts. I jumped at the chance and soon the lovely new SU1250 landed on my door mat.

Before I start with my review a quick reminder that I don’t work for Solus and I am in no way sponsored by them. My current torch is a 9amp 21W Salvo HID and I have a 10W Halcyon Proteus 3 that I use as a spare. Previously I have owned a Greenforce and Custom Divers Halogen units and I have used the Greenforce TriStar LED Fi-May and Metlesub torches on occasion.

I just love doing stuff like kit testing and I do it without allegiance to any one. I try my best to avoid bias but no doubt personal prejudice creeps in.


SOLUS SU 1250 ON TEST


DESIGN

I tested the Solus 1000 last year and I liked it. Yes, it was mega bright and gave off a very white light, which seems to be the must have for today’s dive torches, but that wasn’t it. I liked it most because it felt unbreakable and that means a lot to me.

But I didn’t like it enough to actually buy one. It had a few bits that put me off. The size, the weight the lack of a decent Goodman’s handle. In fact when people asked me, I recommended the less powerful but more compact S500. It would definitly have been my first choice.


Now the second generation SU1250 torch is available and it replaces the S500 and arguably also replaces the S1000.

SOLUS SU-1250 beside the SALVO 21wHID




At first glance the SU1250 is a vast improvement on the old S1000. The canister is now much smaller and at 3.3Kg dry weight and 1.8kg wet weight, it’s significantly lighter too.

Mounting is via a snug fitting and well made pouch that has plastic mini D rings for bolt snaps and it has a webbing loop for cam band or waste belt mounting. I back mounted my one on a cam band. I found no problems in use in the dozen or so dives I have done so far.

The significant change is the introduction of a top quality Goodman’s handle that works and is a dammed site prettier than the old S1000 effort. Goodman’s handles an optional 50 euro extra (£38 $76). This is to reduce the overall cost to those who dont require one.



Adjustment of the handle its self is via two hex key (Alan Key) pan head bolts. Whilst this screams quality Id prefer simple slotted screw for use in the field as the edge of a knife is always available and an Alan key isn’t. That said they have thought to make the hex slot the right size to fit a key on a standard scuba tool. That is a very smart move and it at least means someone on the boat is likely to have one.

Little ridges on the torch body meant it was easy for me to secure my dive knife on the back of the torch. I had to glue a Velcro pad on my Salvo to stop the knife slipping off but no such problems on the Solus



As before the Solus has a head mounted rotary switch offering full power and half power settings. On full power there is a claimed 2.5 hour burn time and on half power 5.0hours with a claimed 60% of the maximum light output still available.

With the torch back mounted, the rotary switch is a joy to use over the often difficult to reach canister mounted Salvo switch. Whilst not an issue for hip mounted canister torches I much prefer back mounting and have to invert the torch to allow access to the switch. If I incorrectly mount the Salvo I can have problems reaching the switch. Also having the torch inverted means any leakage will definitely affect the electronics.

The Solus has a solid state approach. The on off switch is a magnetic proximity type and doesn’t penetrate the case. No need to worry about damaging the rubber switch cover. Also there is no need to separate the torch to charge the batteries. The old S1000 battery charging base has been replaced with a pair of shrouded pins that plug directly into the base of the canister. The intelligent charger has thermal protection and battery protection built in so no possibility of over cooking the expensive 10ah NiMh battery pack. Just remember a couple of paper backs to wedge the canister and stop it rolling around on the boat when charging.

So in terms of day to day living with the SU1250 I was much happier than I was with the S1000. I don’t have any specific areas of improvement apart from the afore mentioned issue with the use of hex bolts.


PERFORMANCE

The new second generation Solus LED torches claim to be twice as powerful as previous models. The SU 1250 boasts 1250 lumens with a colour temperature of 6000k. This is suggested as being comparable to the output of a 150w halogen or a 35W HID

Impressive stats, but I remember reading similar claims from other LED heads and somehow the actual performance didn’t even come close to making you believe the numbers.

As with the S1000 I carried out the tests with a side by side comparison to the Salvo 21W 9.5AH HID. This is my 2004 example with the updated (whiter) bulb fitted in 2006.


Test 1

I set up the ping pong table at a distance of 10.5m from the torch heads and took photos without flash. As a result low levels of peripheral light were lost. In reality there was more peripheral light with both torches, it just doesn’t show in the pic’s.

Solus 1250 10.5m



Salvo 21W 10.5m




TEST 2

I set up both torches to focus on a point 3m ahead and 1.5m down to get the sort of spot I would normally use to keep torch contact with my buddy during a dive.

Solus 1250 3m out from a height of 1.5m



Salvo 21W HID 3m out from a height of 1.5m



Finally I set up a shot in my pond. The pond is 4.5m across. The torches were on the 500mm deep ledge which is the widest part. I was trying to show the spread of the beam as it left the torch head.


Solus SU 1250 on the right Salvo 21w HID on the left






In terms of actual dives I have carried out four dives in the 40-70m zone and several in the 20 -40m zone.

I found the torch easy to use in all ways but especially the afore mentioned head mounted switching. The power output was much more than adequate I would say it definitly a lot brighter and more focused than the old SU500 but despite the claims made for the output, I didn’t see it as being more powerful than the old SU1000. If it is it’s not noticeably so.

For deep dark dives it was fantastic. I had no issue with signalling power and in terms of illuminating the wreck I found it gave a better field of view that the Salvo. What was lost would be long range emergency signalling power. By which I mean an obvious hot spot at 10M+ distance to signal another diver of a problem. The Solus just wasn’t in the same league as the Salvo in this respect..

This is something we have got used to with the modern HID torches. Back when I had a Custom Divers 50W halogen it never crossed my mind as being an issue. However now it seems to be a prime concern. Surprisingly divers weren’t dropping like flies as a result of this lack of signalling power but times have changed and so has our demands as divers.

The issue of power output comparison don’t really hit home till your diving in good conditions with high levels of ambient light. The Salvo can still punch out a good 5m+ of signalling power but the Solus feels a bit lacking and washed out.

Sadly three attempts to shoot video on a decent wreck met with failure. One dive was the conditions on the day were a tad challenging so I decided not to take in the video and the next conditions were perfect but the video decided to lock its focus on a scratch on the camera housing and pretty much the whole shoot was out of focus. Finally I snatched a couple mins footage on an unknown out of Brighton but I think we missed slack as I had to abandon any video work shortly after getting down to the wreck.

In the end I resorted to Stony Cove to guarantee some footage. This highlighted the good and bad points with the Solus. In the bright conditions the torch looks week but once inside the Stangarth its true performance can be seen.



CONCLUSIONS

It’s a great torch. Its light output is more than I need and it still has enough signalling capability to make it suitable for my sort of wreck diving. If I am more than 3-5m away from my buddy there is something very wrong. I really like the way it lights up the wreck. The softer hot spot makes spidge spotting easier as it doesn’t just obliterate the centre with white light. I tended to use the edge of the Salvo beam to hunt for trinkets as the centre beam was too hot.

I think it takes over from where the S1000 left off but it’s not a step forward in performance to the S1. I am sure had I been comparing the SU1250 with the S500 Id be impressed with the step up. But to take a significant step up from the S1000 I think you need to look at the SU2500.

What the SU1250 is, is a step forward in terms of design. The Goodman’s handle and compact canister and head in a LED torch, with this level of punch, makes it a very desirable piece of kit. So much so, I bought it.

To answer the question why I bought it, Id say because next week I am off cave diving in Mexico. I want to be 150% sure my torch is not going to fail and the solid state nature of the Solus 1250 fills me with confidence. Confidence it’s not going to fail in the arse end of some cave and confidence that I won’t be without a primary torch on this mega expensive multi day dive trip.

My back up lights (Solus single LED and a Barbolite triple) are all LED and this seems to be the norm now. I think the market for the Solus LED primary torches is for people who specifically want LED and in divers that have suffered a lot of failures using a HID system. I discussed with Kevin the issue of long range signalling. The present torch has a 7.5 degree beam angle and I am told it is possible to tighten this right down to give the light sabre type effect we see with the Salvo. Kevin feels this is a limited market and the beam angle from the Solus is better suited to a wider audience. Personally I disagree and I think if he at least offered a torch with a tighter beam angle it would increase sales.

The cost of the Solus units can not be ignored. At $1755 from Golum gear its $555 more expensive than the equivalent Salvo 4.5ah 21W salvo and $355 more than the six hour burn time 9ah Li-iron Salvo. You pay quite a premium for the ruggedness of the LED head and I can only assume the manufacturing costs are significantly higher. Again I am sure if the pricing were on par it would be a straight choice between the Signalling power of the Salvo HID and the bullet proof nature of the solid state LED Solus

For now it will remain the choice of the dedicated LED crowd and I for one am very pleased that I have an LED torch when I get into this new cave diving lark.


ATB

Mark Chase


Solus 1000 test:

Solus 1000W LED Torch on test - Rebreather World

SSP Web site

SOLUS Submersible Products - Home Page


Golem site for costing

Golem Gear, Inc. - Lights


NOTE: I have edited the information on the good mans handle as I have been told it an optional extra. I am also informed that in the US market the torch is sold with a 100% and 50% power setting which is the example I tested. For the EU Market the torch is sold with a 100% and a 25% setting that offers 10 hours burn time on the low setting.

[Fiona]

Originally Posted by Mark Chase

What no heron

[DIVE BUDDHA]

mark that was a great write up and wanna say thanx especialy for the pictures

that gave pretty good comparisons, i know the salvo as a light takes some

beating, but the solus looks like a good torch

best wishes leigh

[steveharriss]

Looking at the Salvo, isn't that the focusable head? In which case you get the light sabre effect and the softer, more scattered light, similar to that of the Solus surely?

[Digger]

Originally Posted by Fiona

What no heron

We have been let down again. All this info on new products coming out, and not the merest sight of a plastic bird. We want answers Chasey. This cannot continue. Can I suggest a follow up article with aforementioned bird included? The Heron that is, not Fiona. Mind you she could pop up as well to add to the mystery.

Good review Mark. From someone who is using the torch and has used one of its main competitors for a while. Useful info if only I had a grand spare

Digs.

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by Digger

Useful info if only I had a grand spare

What you think you can swap a piano for a torch???

[Al_Star]

Nice write-up Mark but I thought the lack of a spot for signalling was quite apparent in the pictures and your description. That would make me concerned as to whether it was suitable as primary light (particularly with cave diving in mind).

You'll have to let us know how it works out in practise.

Cheers
Al

[Mark Chase]

Originally Posted by steveharriss

Looking at the Salvo, isn't that the focusable head? In which case you get the light sabre effect and the softer, more scattered light, similar to that of the Solus surely?

No not really,

Frankly there is little point having the focusable head on the Salvo like most others I never alter its setting. Once the beam is made wide it looses too much definition and washes out. It really only stands out when in light saber mode.

Only time I ever use it in wide angle mode is shooting video

ATB

[Mark Chase]

Originally Posted by Al_Star

Nice write-up Mark but I thought the lack of a spot for signalling was quite apparent in the pictures and your description. That would make me concerned as to whether it was suitable as primary light (particularly with cave diving in mind).

You'll have to let us know how it works out in practise.

Cheers
Al

Strangely in pitch dark conditions and in the water it seems to perform better. I know that sounds wrong but it just does.

Hopefully ill have some footage of it in use in Mexico when i get back.

It might be good enough for me but it will never satisfy those who find the Lazer beam effect of the Salvo / Halcyon to be very important.

Janos and Howard will have 21W Salvos so it will be interesting to hear their comments about diving with me using the Solus.


I want it for reliabuility over all else.


ATB

Mark

[RogerViking]

i bought the su 1000 last year and dived it in many dark murky conditions never had a problem signaling and theres pleanty of light of them even at the 1/2 output . it seams the darker it gets on a dive the more you notice it than at the surface maybe somthing to do with colour temp. they realy suit the rigor of diving in irish and uk waters where everything gets bashed about on ribs and the shore. they are a bullitproof torch .